The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-06-04
Select Story.
THREE MEETINGS.
From Belgrarid.
CHAPTER I.

HAVING plleu up my hic WIN i'S'' N
my table closely to it, spread open my
books of reference, l was just commencing
treatise from notes made at lecture at
PHopital St. Antoine, Paris, where l was
studying surgery. l was settling to my
work with delightful sense of comfort as
heard the rain dashing against my win
dow, when 1 was disturbed by sharp ring
at the outer door of my dpartement Who
could it be on such night as this ?
jacob, perhaps, come round to smoke
cigar. OF all my comrades this young ltal-
ian was the only one with whom | had
fraternized; but as l felt enthusiastic in my
task, it was vexatious to be interrupted
even by him. Lamp in hand, | opened the
ante-room door. A stranger stood at the
threshold.
aHave 1 pleasure of addressing Mr..
Philip Secretan ?" inquired he, in unmis-
taxable English.
"That is my name" I replied, not a
little surprised. "May l ask your business
with me?"
SIT is professional"
"Then it is useless. l am not as yet
practicing, being a student at present.
81 know it; but you have been recon-
mended to me as the cleverest and most
skilful English one in surgery at your hos
pital, and l prefer countryman. Can |
come in ?"
"Certainly," 1 replied, admitting him,
wondering what he could possibly require
and how he had heard of me. When he
entered I looked at him more attentively.
A tall man, holding himself erect; in age
about thirty-eight from what l could see
Of his face, for he wore peaked travelling
cap drawn down over his eyes, and scarf
pulled up over his chin; he was covered
with rain-drops, and placing soaked UNI
brella in the stand, he divested himself of
an old plaid ulster, and 1 conducted him
into my sitting-room, placing chair for
him near the FIRE. Taking off his cap, |
saw well-featured man, of pale, worn
complexion, deeply set light-colored eyes,
fair hair, and neglected beard, dressed in a
very much the worse for
wear. He was self-possessed, his voice
clear, with metallic ring in it. We re-
earded each other attentively.
"To whom am l indebted for this intro
duction. and in what manner can | be of
use to you?"
"That is immaterial."
'Pardon me, | do not think so"
"You, also a young italian named jacob,
were mentioned to me as being already ex-
pert surgeons; as / said before, | give the
preference to an Englishman. [ require
your services for an operation. :"
Gan operationl'' l exclaimed. "Where?'
"Here. On myself"
l regarded him from head to foot with
astonishment
"Yes, on myself. If you are disengaged,
now."
Again | looked at him in amazement.
Was he in his right. senses? | wondered,
for he appeared perfectly well.
eI will pay ten napoleons for your fee, !"
he said.
'This is most unprecedented proceed
ing. You must please be little more
explicit"
For reply he laid a fnely-shaped white
right hand on the table. l dislike man S
hand to be very white; it is unmasculine.
"Well?' 1 asked.
"You see this hand; wish to have it
amputated just above the wrist.
'Amputated p 1 exclaimed, holding and
examining it. ''Why, this hand is an ac-
tive, capable member. Whatever do you
mean p
"What l say. | wish it taken of. If
ten napoleons are not sufficient for the op-
Grafton, make your terms.
"Sir," said l, 'I must decline your offer
see no reason whatever for such an oper-
alton, and will not undertake il"
"Why not? If desire it and am
willing to pay, what can it signify to You?"
''There is such thing as principle" 1
answered, ''and l refuse to mutilate per-
feet limb. must wish you good even
ing, begging you to think better of such
an insane proceeding.
My visitor regarded me with an ugly
stare, then turned away, impatiently retied
the scarf about his neck, saying defantly:
"My proceedings are nothing to you. /
did not come for your advice or your
opinion simply for your professional SER
vices. 1 wish you good night, Mr.. Secre-
tan, and regret troubling you"
He stalked through the room, redooned
his ulster, seized his umbrella, and made
for the door, which l opened for him,
holding my lamp over the hand-rail to
light his way down stairs. "Mad, said l
to myself, as l looked after him; she must
be, although he did not appear so"
1 reseated myself at the table, but could
not return to my task; my strange visitor
had quite unsettled me. Whatever could
be his motive for wishing to undergo such
an operation2 Would he go to Jacob ?
wondered If so, Jacobs ideas on the
subject might be altogether different from
mine; he was immensely clever and skilful,
the chance of living subject great
temptation. | resolved to visit him early
the next morning in order to ascertain. I
lodged in the Rue Ste Marguerite, close
to my hospital, but jacob rented small
atelier further away, for he was fond
of modelling and frst-rate anatomist
jacob himself opened the door to me.
He wore his canvas apron and sleeves and
held his modelling tools in his hand, greet
ing me with effusion. Personally the
young Italian was direct contrast to my
self-small, spare, agile, with thin face,
sparkling dark eyes, and a physiognomy of
a Jewish cast, in unison with his name.
sAh, milo Secretano," he cried before I
had time to mention the object of my visit
81 have had such stroke of good fortune!
Viva I have performed my first profes-
sional operation. Knowest thou, my friend,
that last nights tempest blew me patient,
and l.
"I do know; that is why | am here. !"
Then proceeded to give him an account
of my visitor Sand so you performed
the operation, said l in conclusion. "Oh,
jacob, how could you do it? He is mad. :"
"Not he,' answered jacob; che is more
awake than either you or l. If he wished
to be rid of hand, what then? 1t was
his affair. Per corpo al BaOeo! Scruples
l have nome l remember, milo Secretano,
that you English commit suicide in No
vember. This signor let himself off easier. :
elbow did he stand the operation r.